National Day of Mourning Observance
Out of respect to the families who lost a loved one and for those who have been injured in the workplace, Parkland School Division schools will lower flags to mark the National Day of Mourning on Friday.
The National Day of Mourning, held annually in Canada on April 28, is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, or suffered injury or illness on the job or due to a work-related tragedy.
Acts of remembrance help to honour the lives lost or injured due to workplace tragedy. Employers and workers observe this day in a variety of ways—lighting candles, laying wreaths, wearing commemorative pins/ribbons/armbands or pausing for a moment of silence at 11 a.m.
Statistics and beyond
The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) tell us that in 2019, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. 882 were male workers, and 43 were female workers. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15-24.
Add to these fatalities the 271,806 accepted claims (an increase from 264,438 the previous year) for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 33,615 from workers aged 15-24, and the fact that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards, there is no doubt that the total number of workers impacted is even greater.
And it’s not just these numbers on which we need to reflect. With each worker tragedy, there are loved ones, family members, friends and co-workers who are directly affected, left behind, and deeply impacted—their lives are also forever changed.
Observance
It is the hope of CCOHS that the annual observance of this day will help strengthen the resolve to establish safe and healthy conditions in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses, and deaths. As much as this is a day to remember those who have passed, it is also a call to protect the living and make work a place where people can thrive.
More Information
More on the National Day of Mourning can be found on the website of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.